Effect of amidated alginate on faecal lipids, serum and hepatic cholesterol in rats fed diets supplemented with fat and cholesterol.

The effect of octadecylamide of alginic acid on serum and hepatic cholesterol, and the faecal output of fat and sterols was examined in female rats fed diets containing cholesterol and palm fat at 10 and 50 g kg, respectively. Cholesterol supplementation significantly increased serum and hepatic cholesterol concentrations, and faecal output of cholesterol and coprostanol. Cholesterol and amidated alginate supplementations changed the profile of fatty acids in the faeces.

Effect of dietary fat type on intestinal digestibility of fatty acids, fatty acid profiles of breast meat and abdominal fat, and mRNA expression of lipid-related genes in broiler chickens.

A group of 240-day-old Ross cockerels were used in a 4-week experiment to assess the effect of the fat type on the intestinal digestibility of fatty acids (FAs), the FA profiles of breast meat and abdominal fat, and the mRNA expression of six hepatic lipid-related genes. Experimental diets were supplemented with rapeseed oil, pork lard or palm oil at 60 g/kg. In the control diet, wheat starch was substituted for the fat source.

Potential use of caprylic acid in broiler chickens: effect on Salmonella enteritidis.

The effect of dietary caprylic acid (CA) on Salmonella Enteritidis, as well as the surface treatment of chicken skin contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis was evaluated. To evaluate the dietary effect of CA on Salmonella Enteritidis, the individually housed broiler chickens (n=48) were divided into 4 groups (positive control, negative control, 2.5 g/kg of CA in the feed, and 5 g/kg of CA in the feed).

Actinobacterial community dominated by a distinct clade in acidic soil of a waterlogged deciduous forest.

Members of the Actinobacteria are among the most important litter decomposers in soil. The site of a waterlogged deciduous forest with acidic soil was explored for actinobacteria because seasonality of litter inputs, temperature, and precipitation provided contrasting environmental conditions, particularly variation of organic matter quantity and quality. We hypothesized that these factors, which are known to influence decomposition, were also likely to affect actinobacterial community composition.

Microbial communities show parallels at sites with distinct litter and soil characteristics.

Plant and microbial community composition in connection with soil chemistry determines soil nutrient cycling. The study aimed at demonstrating links between plant and microbial communities and soil chemistry occurring among and within four sites: two pine forests with contrasting soil pH and two grasslands of dissimilar soil chemistry and vegetation. Soil was characterized by C and N content, particle size, and profiles of low-molecular-weight compounds determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of soil extracts.

Development of a 16S rRNA gene-based prototype microarray for the detection of selected actinomycetes genera.

Actinomycetes are known for their secondary metabolites, which have been successfully used as drugs in human and veterinary medicines. However, information on the distribution of this group of Gram-positive bacteria in diverse ecosystems and a comprehension of their activities in ecosystem processes are still scarce. We have developed a 16S rRNA-based taxonomic microarray that targets key actinomycetes at the genus level.

Innovative methods for soil DNA purification tested in soils with widely differing characteristics.

Seven methods of soil DNA extraction and purification were tested in a set of 14 soils differing in bedrock, texture, pH, salinity, moisture, organic matter content, and vegetation cover. The methods introduced in this study included pretreatment of soil with CaCO(3) or purification of extracted DNA by CaCl(2). The performance of innovated methods was compared to that of the commercial kit Mo Bio PowerSoil and the phenol-chloroform-based method of D.